US Seeks Increased S Korean Contribution in Troops Cost-sharing

The United States will open negotiations with South Korea in a bid to seek increase in Seoul’s contribution to cost-sharing for the troops.

The earlier agreement signed in 2014 will expire on December 31 this year. The first round of meetings will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, from Wednesday to Friday, Yonhap reported.

South Korea and the United States will open negotiations this week to renew their cost-sharing agreement for about 28,500 American troops stationed here, the foreign ministry said Monday.

"The two sides will discuss to produce a reasonable pact that can help strengthen the joint defense readiness of Korea and the US and be accepted by our people," the ministry said.

Korea has shared the upkeep costs of US Forces Korea since 1991. Its contribution has increased to around 960 billion won ($887.5 million) this year from some 150 billion won in 1991.